RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) updates

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses to affect your respiratory (breathing) system. It’s highly infectious. In most people, it will only cause a mild illness. Common symptoms include:

  • a runny nose
  • decrease in appetite
  • a cough
  • fever

Most people recover after 2 to 3 weeks of illness. In some people, RSV can cause severe illnesses like bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia. These can mean a stay in hospital.

Older adults may be more at risk of serious illness due to RSV infection.

The RSV vaccine is a quick and easy way to protect against RSV illness.

Who can get the RSV vaccine

Older Adults

If you’re turning 75 years old between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. This includes if your 75th birthday is on 1 August 2024 or 31 July 2025.

The vaccine will also be offered to anyone aged 75 to 79 years on 1 August 2024. This means you can get the vaccine if your date of birth is between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950. This is because the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland, and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.

In future years, the vaccine will only be offered to those turning 75 years old between 1 August and 31 July.

Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by the most common types of RSV.

Pregnant Patients

Common symptoms in babies include:

  • a runny nose
  • decrease in appetite
  • a cough
  • a fever
  • ear infections

Most babies recover after 2 to 3 weeks of illness. In some cases, RSV can cause severe illness leading to complications and time in hospital.

Those who are at highest risk of severe illness from RSV infection include:

  • premature babies
  • newborn babies (particularly in the first 6 months)
  • children under 2 years with conditions that affect their heart, breathing, or immune system

RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection that causes the small airways in the lungs to get infected and inflamed.

Bronchiolitis is a common cause of babies being admitted to hospitals. If a child has RSV bronchiolitis in their early life, it may increase the chance of them developing asthma when they’re older.

Who can get the RSV vaccine?

You’ll be offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

When you get the RSV vaccine, your body makes antibodies. These are what your body uses to fight RSV infection. These antibodies will transfer from you to your unborn baby through the placenta. This means that your baby will have some protection from RSV as soon as they’re born.

More information on the RSV Vaccination is available HERE